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lewster · 11-16-2007, 04:18 PM

Hey Gang,

Just got my new edition of TL and one of the featured articles was about a new Toyota FJ 4WD towing a new Safari 23 thru the snow up to Mt. Bachelor in Oregon.

The FJ has a rated tow capacty of 5K and the Safari 23 has a UBW of 4460 and a NCC of 1540 for a gross weight of 6K.

So why would a trailering magazine deliberately pull a 6000 lb. AS with a vehicle rated for 5000 lb.?

Any comments or opinions?

They did mention that they were using a WD hitch and they even showed a photo of the rig in the now with chains on just the rear wheels of the FJ!

RBolton · 11-16-2007, 04:43 PM

Toyota must pay pretty good.

**Janet H** · 11-16-2007, 05:31 PM

I just looked at an FJ Cruiser. If you ge the off road package the tow rating is boosted to 6000 lbs. But.. the wheel base is still pretty short. I figured I could pull our minuet comfortably

TomW · 11-16-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

... So why would a trailering magazine deliberately pull a 6000 lb. AS with a vehicle rated for 5000 lb.?

Any comments or opinions?...

I read the article and wondered the same thing.

Tom

TomW · 11-16-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

... they even showed a photo of the rig in the snow with chains on just the rear wheels of the FJ!

It looked a lot like this.

Tom

Lumatic · 11-16-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

The FJ has a rated tow capacty of 5K and the Safari 23 has a UBW of 4460 and a NCC of 1540 for a gross weight of 6K.

Any comments or opinions?

Hey yourself Lewster

Just a dumb one. What is UBW and NCC?

Anyone know anything about the towing capacity of the new Ford SUV Hybrid? Or anything else about it for that matter. Also did I hear right is there now a small diesel SUV out there?

Road Ruler · 11-16-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomW

It looked a lot like this.

Tom

I'm not an SUV kinds guy but that is one cool lookin rig.

The pic in the snow reminds me when we pulled our Coleman PU through Buffalo when they had that nasty November snow storm 6 or 7 years ago. Not fun

herrgirdner · 11-16-2007, 07:03 PM

This doesn't have much to do with admiring that rig, even though it does look impressive.
In Germany, that would result in a moving violation. Chains must be on all 4 wheels.
Don't ask me how I found that out!
regards

lewster · 11-16-2007, 07:39 PM

Hey Marshall,

UBW is unit base weight.........NCC is net carry capacity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall

Hey yourself Lewster

Just a dumb one. What is UBW and NCC?

Anyone know anything about the towing capacity of the new Ford SUV Hybrid? Or anything else about it for that matter. Also did I hear right is there now a small diesel SUV out there?

lewster · 11-16-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herrgirdner

This doesn't have much to do with admiring that rig, even though it does look impressive.
In Germany, that would result in a moving violation. Chains must be on all 4 wheels.
Don't ask me how I found that out!
regards

Also............ Oregon requires drag chains on the trailer also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

warbler5 · 11-16-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Also............ Oregon requires drag chains on the trailer also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would think COMMON SENSE would require drag chains on the trailer

safari57 · 11-16-2007, 08:41 PM

The outfit in TomW's post seems to be mirror challenged as well. Is this the TL unit? I hate it when I see someone pulling a large trailer and they can barely see, if at all, behind them because they are relying on the factory mirrors that don't extend out to provide proper viewing.

But then that's just me.

Barry

urbanfood · 11-16-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warbler5

I would think COMMON SENSE would require drag chains on the trailer

i would think COMMON SENSE would not put that tow combination together.....i guess common sense is a precious commodity nowawdays

Fyrzowt · 11-16-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Also............ Oregon requires drag chains on the trailer also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, While I have driven a couple of times in the snow, I'm from a warm climate and have never towed a trailer in snow.
What are drag chains??

lewster · 11-17-2007, 06:39 AM

'Drag chains' are placed on the non-drive wheels of a vehicle......specifically the trailer's wheels or tag axle on a bus or large MoHo.

That's one of the beauties of this Forum. You can ask any type of question and you get an answer without an attitude ......and no question is 'dumb or 'stupid'!

Just the facts m'am.......just the FACTS!

TomR · 11-17-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanfood

i would think COMMON SENSE would not put that tow combination together.....i guess common sense is a precious commodity nowawdays

I have a similar combination....on my dresser...that is. It is made up of a limited edition, large scale, die cast, yelloy FJ Cuuiser AND the very nice Airstream toy unit that was on the cover of AS Life awhile back!

Both are quite large and are nearly porportional in size...to each other. Don't worry though...first I think the toy AS is a Bambi?...and second I promise I will only tow with a Hensley hitch...and I will never take it out and play with them in the snow.

BTW...I still have no trailer or any RV...but I am building quite a collection of toys!

Thanks...Tom R

P.S. I have test driven an FJ Cruiser a couple of times...and I do think the combination in the picture would be OK...if you also added a Hensley hitch for added sway protection. The FJ is very heavy duty and does have significant horsepower..and the 23' is actually quite close to the FJ weight capacities. You also might want to change out the wheels for larger wheels with lower profile tires. TMR

P.P.S. I will try and post pictures of my "dresser" combo...when I get my camera back...currently on loan to my kids...TMR

SRW · 11-17-2007, 07:46 AM

If that rig was involved in an accident the driver would be in deeper trouble then the snow.

Still, the photo is cool.

Garfield · 11-17-2007, 07:57 AM

"Tow ratings" are a manufacturers guideline, nothing more. If you pay attention to the details of the setup they can be safely exceeded (on many vehicles), within reason.

TomR · 11-17-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRW

If that rig was involved in an accident the driver would be in deeper trouble then the snow.

Still, the photo is cool.

What type of trouble would he be in???

I am curious what all the posts about "trouble" are about?

I don't think tow ratings are the LAW...just guidance?????

Even if they were the law...wouldn't it be similar to illegally speeding if you were in an accident???

It would be interesting if there was some factual examples of consequenses...by that I mean legal...not that you are going to crash and die if you are towing overweight.

All the discussions about TVs and weight ratings and all the "boy he is going to be sorry if he is in an accident"...I don't think any have cited actual facts.

BTW...it certainly may be a factor in finding legal "blame"...just as speeding might be...but should not void insurance coverage or cause issues otherwise????

Just very curious...Tom R

P.S. I promise I will not play with my "dresser" combo until I find the answer to this question.TMR